Femur, Hip, and Pelvis

Question 1

Longest and Strongest bone in the body

Answer 1

femur

Question 2

small depression/pit located in the center of the femoral head

Answer 2

fovea capitis

Question 3

What aspect (medial or lateral) of the femur is the lesser trochanter located on of the proximal
femur?

Answer 3

medially

Question 4

And how does the lesser trochanter project (anteriorly or posteriorly) from the junction of the neck and shaft of the femur?

Answer 4

posteriorly

Question 5

What aspect of the femur is the greater trochanter located on

Answer 5

superior and laterally

Question 6

True or False: In anatomic position the femoral neck sits parallel to the plane of the IR

Answer 6

false

Question 7

How much and which direction do you need to rotate the lower limb to place the femoral neck
parallel to the plane of the image receptor to achieve a true AP projection?

Answer 7

15-20 degrees internally

Question 8

Name the four(4) bones that make up the pelvis

Answer 8

two hip bones
sacrum
coccyx

Question 9

List the three (3) divisions of the hip bone

Answer 9

ischium
ileum
pubis

Question 10

Where do all three (3) divisions of the hip bone eventually fuse together at

Answer 10

acetabulum

Question 11

At what age does the hip bones fuse together

Answer 11

teens - about 15

Question 12

What are the two (2) important radiographic landmarks found on the ilium

Answer 12

iliac crest
ASIS

Question 13

Which bony landmark is found on the most inferior aspect of the posterior pelvis

Answer 13

ischial tuberosity

Question 14

What is the name of the joint found between the superior rami of the pelvic bones?

Answer 14

pubic symphysis
symphysis pubis

Question 15

What is the largest foramen in the skeletal system (hint: its in the pelvis)?

Answer 15

obturator foramen

Question 16

What is the imaginary line that divides the pelvic region into the greater and lesser pelvis?

Answer 16

pelvic brim

Question 17

The alternate terms for the greater pelvis

Answer 17

false pelvis

Question 18

The alternate terms for the lesser pelvis

Answer 18

true pelvis

Question 19

Describe the general shape of the female pelvis.

Answer 19

wider, more flared wings
gynecoid: round
platypelloid: wider right to left

Question 20

Describe the general shape of the male pelvis.

Answer 20

narrow and heart shaped
anthropoid: deep and round
android: less flared, heart shape

Question 21

What anatomical structure aligns with the superior symph region and serves as a substitute for palpation of the pubic symphysis?

Answer 21

greater trochanters

Question 22

What is the distance between from the ASIS to the pubic symph?

Answer 22

3-4 inches

Question 23

For distal femur imaging, how much should the leg be internally rotated for AP imaging?

Answer 23

5 degrees internal rotation
so the toes are pointed upward

Question 24

For proximal femur imaging, how much should the leg be internally rotated for AP imaging?

Answer 24

15-20 degrees internal

Question 25

When critiquing an AP projection of the hip, if the iliac wing of the affected side is elongated/flared and the obturator foramen is closed, what positioning error has occurred?

Answer 25

Patient’s affected side is rotated toward the IR

Question 26

When critiquing an AP projection of the hip, the iliac wing is narrowed and the obturator foramen is open more than usual. What positioning error occurred?

Answer 26

Patient’s affected side is rotated away from the IR

Question 27

why is the knee joint typically closed on an AP femur image

Answer 27

beam divergence

Question 28

What leg abnormalities will a patient with a suspected hip fx have

Answer 28

external rotation and shortening of the whole leg

Question 29

When performing the frog-leg lateral projection of the hip, the knee is flexed how many degrees?

Answer 29

90 degrees

Question 30

When performing the frog-leg lateral projection of the hip, the knee is abducted how many degrees?

Answer 30

45 degrees

Question 31

If a patient is unable to adequately abduct their femur for a frog-leg lateral, what alternative method is performed?

Answer 31

Lauenstein/Hickey (roll patient onto the affected side to compensate)

Question 32

When is the only time that a XTL hip projection should not be performed?

Answer 32

When bilateral hip fractures are suspected/confirmed

Question 33

Typically, how many images are obtained when performing femur imaging?

Answer 33

4

Question 34

What is the proper IR placement for a proximal AP femur

Answer 34

top of the IR at the level of ASIS

Question 35

What is the proper IR placement for lateral distal femur

Answer 35

bottom of the IR 2 inches inferior to apex of the patella

Question 36

What is the ball-like portion of the femur that articulates in the acetabulum called?

Answer 36

head of the femur

Question 37

the long portion of the femur is called what?

Answer 37

shaft
diaphysis

Question 38

What is the general SID for femur imaging?

Answer 38

40 inches

Question 39

How should a patient’s toes be positioned for an AP proximal femur?

Answer 39

pointed medially

Question 40

What is the SID for an AP hip

Answer 40

40 inches

Question 41

How do you find the centering point for a AP hip radiograph?

Answer 41

midway between ASIS and symph, then 2.5 inches inferior

Question 42

What are the breathing instructions for AP hip?

Answer 42

suspend respiration